St Helens Council’s published position appears to align broadly with national drone legislation, with no clear evidence of a blanket prohibition on small recreational drones (e.g. sub-250g or C0 class) in parks and public green spaces.

The available guidance suggests that the Council relies on general principles such as safety, nuisance, and responsible use rather than imposing a formal permit system or explicit restrictions for low-risk recreational flying. In practice, this creates a permissive environment, particularly when compared to councils that maintain outdated or restrictive policies.

However, the policy language appears to retain a degree of ambiguity, particularly around what constitutes “nuisance” or “disturbance”, whether informal expectations could be interpreted as enforceable restrictions, and how recreational use is distinguished from filming or commercial activity.

As a result, while the Council’s position can reasonably be interpreted as aligned with Civil Aviation Authority guidance, it is not explicitly defined as an “open” policy.

It would still be beneficial for an individual to submit a Reasonable Adjustment request under the Equality Act 2010. This can help obtain formal written clarification of the Council’s exact position, confirm that sub-250g or C0 drone use is permitted in practice, and ensure that any ambiguity in policy wording does not create unnecessary barriers to access. Such requests may also encourage the Council to formalise and publish clearer guidance for the benefit of all users.